CON Creators Blog
Fall 2022 the college continued the CON Creators scholarship highlighting the Gamecock Nursing Nation. Four new undergraduate students will represent their classmates to share their nursing journey through digital platforms. Students, prospective students, and alumni can learn and watch student experiences at the College of Nursing.
Recently, the CON Creators collected their best practices for studying and staying on top of their mental health:
Senior Sammie Sweeney
It is very important to maintain a work-life balance in nursing school. It’s so easy to get stressed out from schoolwork and exams, but the best way to stay mentally healthy is to find time to do things you like. I like to spend time with family and friends when I’m not busy with school. A tactic I learned is to plan your schedule ahead of time when you know you have an exam coming up. For instance, if you have an exam in two weeks, break up the material to study a little each day so that you still have downtime throughout the week. I like to use the recall method when I’m studying to check if I am retaining the information I’ve read. Also, never be afraid to ask your professors for help! They love talking to students during office hours or even setting up virtual meetings.
Junior Chloe Karabas
It is so important to find a balance between academics and social well-being, especially heading into finals! There are a few ways that I like to prioritize my mental health while studying. First, I think it is important to take intentional breaks. This looks like physically scheduling time in your day to do something for yourself. I like to schedule breaks to go on walks, read a book, hang out with friends, or listen to podcasts. While taking these intentional breaks, you want to fully focus on yourself rather than thinking about studying. Different things work for different people, so don’t be afraid to try new things to care for yourself. It really helps you recharge your battery! Another important tip is to surround yourself with people who encourage and inspire you. Studying can be really isolating, but I’ve found that finding time in my schedule to study with others has really benefited me. At the end of the day, everyone has the same goal of succeeding in their nursing classes, so it’s really the best feeling to be able to work towards and reach those goals together. Studying can be fun, and you owe it to yourself to take care of yourself during this time! Take a deep breath and trust that you’ve got this. You are capable and worthy of treating yourself with kindness!
Sophomore Hope Fahrner
You will probably hear it dozens of times before it really sinks in, but make sure you’re not leaving too much material to cover just before an exam! Spend some time after each class reviewing the content, reorganizing, or rewriting any notes, predicting possible test questions, or practicing active recall. And when there’s a topic that still doesn’t quite make sense, read the textbook, and attend office hours. Find a group of study buddies that hold you accountable, encourage you, and that you can spend lots of time preparing for exams. You got this! Remember to offer yourself forgiveness when you make mistakes and find your own ways to energize and encourage yourself to improve bit by bit. I have found myself leaning into mindfulness and meditation, exercise that feels good to me, and spending meaningful time with friends to remind myself that we’re all in it together. If you ever need extra help, check out university resources.
Freshman Alexis Mood
My best study and mental health tip for my fellow USC students is to listen to your body. If you need rest, take it. When you feel motivated is when you will do your best work. If you force yourself to study when you’re in a bad mood you will be miserable and not retain information. Surround yourself in an environment with people that push you to be the best version of yourself so that you succeed. Be proud of how hard you are working and take time to reflect and relax so that you notice all that you’ve done to make your drive pay off.